Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Scarlett with a Private Chauffeur
Estate Rutherford Cabernet from the McGah family, long known as co-owners of the Oakland Raiders, poured in privately hosted tastings at the family's Calistoga winery, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
The McGah family's roots in Northern California go back more than a century. E.W. McGah co-founded the Oakland Raiders, and his son E.J. "Eddie" McGah, who was signed by the Boston Red Sox at 17, held the family's stake until 2005. The family bought two estate vineyards in Rutherford, the Alsace and Heritage vineyards, and in 2006 Sherratt Reicher and the McGahs started McGah Family Cellars with 10 barrels of Cabernet.
The winery later took the name of its flagship wine, Scarlett, named for the founder's daughter. The vineyards cover more than 65 acres on the upper east-side bench of Rutherford, just north of Oakville along the Silverado Trail, with red and brown gravelly loam. Winemaker Mike Smith, who also makes his own Myriad Cellars wines, makes Scarlett in small lots.
Tastings are privately hosted at the family's Calistoga winery for groups of up to six, at an unhurried pace with stories of the family and the vineyards. It is an easy, personal visit and good value for estate Cabernet. Wine club members can also book a private visit among the vines at McGah Family Vineyards in Rutherford.
Tasting Fees
$50 per person for A Classic Scarlett Tasting of current releases, privately hosted. The length is not published; we allow about an hour.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1251 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
By reservation. A Classic Scarlett Tasting is privately hosted at the Calistoga winery for up to 6 guests. Days and hours are not published; we confirm them when we book.
Known For
Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, including the McGah Family Vineyard Reserve
Founded
2006 (as McGah Family Cellars)
Good to Know
Groups of up to 6. Tasting fees may be applied toward qualifying wine purchases. The private vineyard visit in Rutherford is for wine club members. Ages and pets are not published.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Four Seasons Napa Valley or Indian Springs.
10:00 · Pickup at Four Seasons Napa Valley or Indian Springs
Both hotels are in Calistoga, about 8 to 10 minutes from the winery on Tubbs Lane, so the first tasting starts right away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Scarlett Wines
A Classic Scarlett Tasting, privately hosted ($50). We allow about an hour.
11:30 · The Vineyardist
About 12 minutes away. An 1879 Diamond Mountain homestead where every tasting is private, in the estate salon with a seasonal cheese plate. The Signature Tasting is $195, 60 to 75 minutes. By reservation only; days and times are confirmed when we book.
1:00 · Lunch at Sam's Social Club
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Sam's Social Club at Indian Springs in Calistoga, a sit-down restaurant named for town founder Samuel Brannan, serving lunch Monday through Friday and brunch on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Hourglass
About 12 minutes away. The Smith family's winery built into the mountainside at the Blueline estate, designed by Olle Lundberg. Visits are $150 per person for new guests, waived with three bottles per person. By appointment only; the time and length are confirmed with the appointment.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:50 p.m., under six hours after pickup.
About $395 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Sam's Social Club serves lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends. Scarlett, The Vineyardist and Hourglass confirm their times when we book.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Scarlett?
Yes. Tastings are privately hosted and reserved ahead. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Scarlett?
$50 per person for A Classic Scarlett Tasting, which may be applied toward qualifying wine purchases, as of September 2026.
Where do you taste Scarlett wines?
At the family's Calistoga winery, where Scarlett is made. The Rutherford vineyards are visited only by wine club members, on a private vineyard visit.
Who owns Scarlett Wines?
The McGah family, with Sherratt Reicher overseeing the winemaking business; Mike Smith is the winemaker.
Is Scarlett connected to the Oakland Raiders?
Yes. E.W. McGah co-founded the Raiders, and the McGah family kept its ownership stake until 2005.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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